How to Stream Multiple Languages in OBS Studio

This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to configure OBS Studio’s multi-track audio feature to broadcast different languages to separate streams. You will learn how to configure your audio inputs, isolate different languages onto individual virtual tracks, and route those tracks to separate streaming destinations or multi-language platforms.

Step 1: Add Your Language Audio Sources

Before routing your audio, you must bring the different language feeds into OBS Studio. 1. Open OBS Studio and go to the Sources dock. 2. Click the + icon and select Audio Input Capture (for physical microphones or hardware inputs) or Application Audio Capture (for digital feeds like Discord or Zoom). 3. Create a unique source for each language (e.g., “English Commentary” and “Spanish Commentary”).

Step 2: Assign Languages to Separate Audio Tracks

By default, OBS sends all audio sources to all tracks. You must isolate each language to its own dedicated track. 1. Right-click anywhere inside the Audio Mixer dock and select Advanced Audio Properties. 2. Locate the grid of checkboxes on the right side of the window, labeled Tracks (1 through 6). 3. Uncheck all boxes for your language sources. 4. Assign each language to a single, dedicated track: * For English, check only the box for Track 1. * For Spanish, check only the box for Track 2. * Leave all other tracks unchecked for these specific sources.

Step 3: Configure Output Settings for Multi-Track Streaming

To send these separate tracks to different streams, you need to configure your streaming output. There are two primary ways to do this depending on your destination.

Method A: Streaming to Platforms Supporting Multi-Track Audio (e.g., YouTube/Twitch)

Some services allow a single stream to contain multiple audio tracks that viewers can toggle. 1. Go to Settings > Output. 2. Set the Output Mode dropdown to Advanced. 3. Under the Streaming tab, select the checkboxes for the audio tracks you want to transmit (e.g., check both Track 1 and Track 2). 4. Save your settings. The streaming platform will now receive both tracks simultaneously.

Method B: Streaming to Separate Destinations Using a Plugin

If you need to send English to one stream key (e.g., an English Twitch channel) and Spanish to another stream key (e.g., a Spanish Twitch channel), you must use the free Multiple RTMP outputs plugin for OBS. 1. Install the Multiple RTMP outputs plugin. 2. In OBS, open the new Multiple Output dock. 3. Click Add new target. 4. Input the RTMP URL and Stream Key for your secondary language channel (e.g., the Spanish stream). 5. In the target settings, locate the Audio Settings section. 6. Check the box to manually select the audio track, and set it to Track 2 (the Spanish track). 7. Keep your main OBS Settings (under Settings > Stream) set to your primary channel (using Track 1 for English). 8. Click Start on both the main OBS control panel and the Multiple Output dock to stream to both destinations simultaneously with localized audio.